TuesdayMarch 20,2018

Gov. Onaga’s wife takes part in sit-in to protest new US base in Henoko

Gov. Takeshi Onaga's wife Mikiko encouraged citizens at the sit-in protest in front of the gate of Camp Schwab in Henoko, Nago, on November 7.

November 8, 2015 Ryukyu Shimpo

On November 7, Okinawa Governor Takeshi Onaga’s wife Mikiko encouraged citizens who are maintaining a sit-in protest in front of the gate of Camp Schwab as part of efforts to block construction of new U.S. base in Henoko, Nago.

Mikiko visited Henoko in September when the people’s protest rally was held. In her speech to sit-in protesters, the governor’s wife revealed the details of a conversation she had with her husband when he won the gubernatorial race.

“My husband said he absolutely would not let the government build the U.S. base in Henoko. My husband and I promised we would stage a sit-in protest here if we came to the end of our rope,” she said. She received loud applause and cheers from the sit-in members.

She added, “It’s not all up to us.”

“Many people in the world support us. We shall not quit and shall continue to try to do our best, and become single-minded in our objective to block construction of the new U.S. base.”

She took part in the sit-in and spurred on the citizens, shaking all of their hands.